Uruguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup — Coach Marcelo Bielsa expects to step down after the World Cup

Marcelo Bielsa hinted on Thursday that he may not remain manager of Uruguay beyond July, saying his job with the team ends with the World Cup.

“Our job ends with the World Cup,” Bielsa said at an event organized by the Uruguayan Football Federation.

Although he did not elaborate on his comments, local media reported that the Argentine will not continue once his current contract expires at the end of the June 11-July 19 tournament to be played in the US, Mexico and Canada.

“It is a miracle in the sporting career of any professional to participate in the World Cup,” he said. “I will forever be grateful to Uruguay for allowing me to enjoy a competition like the World Cup.”

Bielsa will coach at his third World Cup, following Argentina’s group stage elimination in 2002 and Chile’s last-16 loss to hosts Brazil in 2014.

After a successful spell at Leeds United, Bielsa took over Uruguay in 2023 following the departure of Diego Alonso and got off to a strong start, guiding ‘La ‌Celeste’ through the CONMEBOL qualifiers and to third place at the 2024 Copa America.

Yet his relationship with the side gradually began to erode after he was publicly criticized by Uruguay’s all-time top scorer Luis Suarez, amid a series of internal conflicts that raised doubts about his management of the team.

Uruguay’s form has been inconsistent of late, with draws against England and Algeria during the March international window, and a 1-5 defeat to the USA in November.

Uruguay will kick off its World Cup campaign on June 15 against Group H rivals Saudi Arabia before facing Cape Verde and Spain.

Published on May 22, 2026